Thread
Size relates to thickness. The higher or larger the number of
the thread, the finer it is. A Size 50 thread is finer than a Size 10. Changing
the thread size in a pattern alters the size of the design. A doily worked in
Size 80 thread, for example, will be closer to a place mat in size if you tat
it in Size 10 thread. “True” tatting threads are considered to be
Sizes 70 and 80 (very fine). All other size threads on the market are referred
to as “crochet cotton.”

Beginners - A beginner needle or shuttle tatter should start with a larger thread a size 10 or bigger. Once you learn then you can go to a smaller thread. You need to be able to see what you are doing when learning.

Mercerizing,
during manufacture, makes thread more receptive to dyeing so
it accepts and holds color well and is almost always colorfast. It also adds
strength and shine, so the thread has a lovely luster and can stand up to years,
even generations, of wear. Mercerized thread is smooth, easy to work with, and
durable—just what you want for your tatting projects. (All cotton threads
in our catalog are mercerized.)
Hold your thread up to a bright light and look at the fuzz along the strand.
The less fuzz there is, the more the thread has been gas-singed (which smooth's
and strengthens it). Thread with less fuzz will continue to look nice after
re­repeated washings. Use the smoothest threads for your heirlooms!

When
choosing thread for a project, consider the thread color and
size, of course. But also consider the amount of wear the piece will be subject
to. Is it a Christmas trim or other piece that will be used only periodically
and seldom hand washed? Is it a hanky trim, collar or other wearable that may
be hand washed a lot? Is it a table topper, an heirloom-to-be or other decorative
piece that may be precious to the next generation? There are threads for each
of these projects.

Six-cord
(Cordonnet) thread consists of tightly twisted plies (six in
all). A strong, firm thread, it is suitable for heirlooms, hard-working wearables,
and decorative designs. Considered the best thread available for tatting, it
is not the same as six-strand embroidery floss, which is designed to be separated
into individual plies. Handy Hands’ Lizbeth six-cord thread is great to work with and is also 100% Egyptain cotton which means it has a long staple, double mercerized and gas singed for an outstanding thread and not fuzzy.

Three-cord
cotton such as DMC Cebelia does not have quite as much shine as a Six-Cord cordonnet and is a little fizzy.

Among
two-cord threads, pearl cotton is only has two cords and is the fuzzies of all the threads. It is nice for note cards